What a fantastic week we’ve had! With just two weeks to go until the end of term, there’s been plenty happening as we prepare for a busy finish.

We started the week a little differently with a Staff Day on Monday. This gave students an extra day to relax, recharge and get ready for the exciting week ahead.

On Tuesday, we caught up as a crew and shared what everyone had been up to over the long weekend. It was great to hear about the different ways people had spent their extra day off school.

Wednesday saw us continue reading our anchor text, Green Rising. We’ve enjoyed exploring the story together in our classes, with some thoughtful discussions as we progress through the book.

On Thursday, we turned our attention to Sports Day preparations, making sure everyone knew the important information ahead of next week’s event. We organised who would be taking part in each event and started thinking about ideas for our Crew mascot. There were some creative and hilarious suggestions, and we can’t wait for you to see which idea we choose!

Friday was all about celebrating our successes including the huge highlight – celebrating the first-ever Subject Awards Night, which took place on Thursday evening. A massive shout-out goes to Ayden, Rowena and Chloe for being nominated for subject awards. An extra congratulations to Ayden, who won the Subject Star Award for XP Year 9 HUMS, and Chloe, who won the Subject Star Award for XP Year 9 Art. We are incredibly proud of you both and all of our nominees for representing Year 9 so well. 

We finished with our usual Apologies, Appreciations and Stands, recognising the positives from the week and supporting one another as a crew.

As a crew, we’ve also had some difficult conversations this week around behaviour and the importance of consistently demonstrating the XP Character Traits. These conversations are never easy, but they are an important part of helping us all grow, reflect and make better choices. We know that everyone is capable of meeting the high expectations we set in Crew Brunel, and we look forward to seeing those positive choices next week.

With just two weeks to go, we’re looking forward to Sports Day, more celebrations and making the most of the remainder of the school year. Let’s finish the term strong!

Miss Mitchell

After a well-deserved half-term break, Crew Brunel returned to school ready for a busy and important week filled with opportunities, information, and decision-making. This half term is particularly significant as it marks the final half term of Year 9, making it an exciting and important period for all students as they begin preparing for the next stage of their educational journey here at XP.

On Monday, the whole school community came together for a Community Meeting to warmly welcome students and staff back after the half-term break. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, refocus, and set the tone for the weeks ahead.

After the meeting, our Year 9 students were introduced to the exciting Valencia Fieldwork experience. Students learned about what the trip involves, the opportunities it offers, and the application process. There was plenty of interest, and we look forward to seeing applications from those keen to take part in this memorable learning experience.

From Tuesday through to Friday, we were joined by Crew Sinfield for a series of GCSE Taster Sessions. These sessions gave students the chance to explore their potential GLOBAL and CREATIVE option subjects for next year.

Throughout the week, students experienced a range of subjects, gained valuable insight into the content and skills involved, took part in activities and tasks linked to each course, and began thinking carefully about the choices that will help shape their future learning journeys. The sessions provided an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions, discover new interests, and consider where their strengths and passions lie.

It has certainly been a busy first week back, with lots of important information to take in and many decisions to consider. As we enter the final half term of Year 9, students are beginning to make important decisions about their GCSE pathways and future aspirations.

We are proud of the positive attitude and engagement students have demonstrated throughout the week as they explored their GCSE options and considered the exciting opportunities ahead. We look forward to supporting everyone through the options process and helping them make informed choices that reflect their interests, talents, and ambitions.

Well done, Crew Brunel, on a productive start to the final half term of Year 9!

Miss Mitchell

This week in Crew Brunel has been full of preparation, reflection, and celebration. From getting ready for presentations to coming together for our final whole-school community meeting with Year 11, every day brought something meaningful.

We started the week with our usual weekend check-in, giving everyone the opportunity to share how they were feeling and reconnect as a crew after the weekend. These conversations continue to help strengthen our relationships and create a supportive start to the week. Alongside our check-ins, we spent time making final preparations for our Wise Wednesday presentations. Everyone worked hard to make sure they were organised, confident, and ready to present their ideas and learning.

On Tuesday, we focused on sorting through lost property. Students worked together to organise and display lost personal belongings in order to take photographs for the Lost Property blog post. It was a simple but important reminder about responsibility and supporting each other as a community. The activity also linked closely to the values of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, particularly teamwork, service, and taking responsibility for helping others.

Wednesday gave students the opportunity to explore future pathways by looking at GCSE options, particularly Creative and Global subjects. Students discussed the courses available, thought about their interests and ambitions, and asked thoughtful questions about what their next steps could look like. It was great to see students engaging positively with conversations about their futures and beginning to think carefully about the opportunities ahead of them.

On Thursday, we were joined by Crew Sinfield and Crew Peake. Together, we reflected on the week by looking at praises and conducts. This was a valuable opportunity to celebrate successes, recognise positive contributions, and discuss how we can continue to improve as individuals and as crews. The collaborative atmosphere helped encourage honesty, reflection, and encouragement between students.

Friday’s whole-school community meeting was packed with highlights and celebrations from across the school. One of the standout moments was seeing the Year 8 final product work focused on migration. Students showcased an impressive wall painting project using stencils and spray paint to creatively express themes connected to migration. The artwork demonstrated both creativity and teamwork. We also heard from a water safety awareness expert who visited Year 7 students to raise awareness about staying safe around water. The session was informative, engaging, and incredibly important as we move towards the summer months. Another exciting update came from Year 10 students who recently completed their DofE Silver practice expedition. It was fantastic to hear about their resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the experience.

As always, the meeting included appreciations, apologies, and stands, giving students and staff the chance to recognise one another, reflect honestly, and celebrate positive actions across the school. There was also an important stand made around following the XP character traits. It was recognised that there have been a few incidents recently where students have not demonstrated these values as positively as they could. This was an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of showing respect, compassion, courage, and integrity, and to encourage students to put things right moving forward.

Finally, this community meeting marked the last one with our Year 11 students before they move on to their next steps. It was a special moment to recognise their journey, contributions, and the impact they have had on the school community.

This week showed the importance of preparation, teamwork, reflection, and celebration within Crew Brunel and the wider school community. We are proud of the positive attitude and effort shown by everyone throughout the week.

As we head into a week off, we hope everyone has the chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy the sunshine. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the final half term of the academic year and to another successful few weeks ahead.

Miss Mitchell